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Victor Martinez News & Rumors

Victor Martinez has first surgery on knee
January 31
Detroit News
 
"One surgery down, one to go. Or to put it another way: Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez suffered much more than a torn left ACL two weeks ago when he slipped during a conditioning drill. He suffered so much damage, in fact, the repairs have to be done in two stages. To get a head start in recovering from the other injuries his left knee sustained, Martinez's ACL won't be repaired for another 6-8 weeks. So if you're a calendar watcher, his recovery won't start in full until mid-to-late March, which in turn leaves no doubt Martinez has been lost for the 2012 season."
Tigers' Victor Martinez undergoes knee surgery
January 30
Detroit News
 
"Victor Martinez's left knee was so damaged, so torn up in his conditioning mishap earlier this month, it is requiring multiple surgeries to repair it. Martinez, the Tigers designated hitter/catcher, underwent microfracture surgery, as well as repairs to both the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee on Friday, the Tigers announced. But the procedure to repair his torn left ACL might not take place for another eight weeks. In other words, the long road back for the Tigers' designated hitter hasn't gotten any shorter."
Dombrowski: Resilient Tigers will be OK without Victor Martinez
January 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"Dave Dombrowski was somber when he spoke to the media Tuesday about Victor Martinez's knee injury. The Tigers general manager had learned the day before that Martinez likely would miss the season. "A sock in the gut," Dombrowski called it. By Friday, Dombrowski had regained his public vigor and optimism. Perhaps that's because he'd had time to digest the Martinez news and regroup. Perhaps that's because he saw so many Tigers players on the winter caravan the past few days. And perhaps that's because Friday the caravan stopped at his alma mater, Western Michigan. Dombrowski, according to an audio recording provided by the school, told a sold-out audience of approximately 700 people: "We"
Tigers save seat for DH as caravan gets rolling
January 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"The vehicles of the Tigers' caravan will roll from Comerica Park early this afternoon. Vladimir Guerrero won't be in any of them unless something remarkable and unexpected happens at the last minute. But it's still the first minute, not the last minute, in the Tigers' time frame to secure a replacement -- such as Guerrero -- for Victor Martinez. To put it another way: When Magglio Ordoñez, Pudge Rodriguez and Johnny Damon joined the Tigers, each signed in February."
Tigers' Dave Dombrowski will wait for right deal to replace Victor Martinez
January 19
Detroit News
 
"This time, a Tigers front-office chief known for acting rapidly, and sometimes dramatically, will take his time figuring out how to replace a roster void as immense as the one created by Victor Martinez's wrecked knee. Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday he and the Tigers could wait until deep into spring training to get the best possible bead on a hitter to replace the vital Martinez, who last year batted .330, had 103 RBIs, and was the sentry guarding superstar Miguel Cabrera from a season that otherwise might have been loaded with intentional walks."
Tigers suffer 'hit in the gut' with Victor Martinez likely out for season
January 18
Detroit News
 
"How do you replace a .330 hitter such as Victor Martinez? The answer is you don't. Not easily, anyway. But as of Tuesday, when it became known that Martinez might have to sit out the entire 2012 season, the pace of phone calls picked up to Tigers' president and general manager Dave Dombrowski. There still are available free agents with power, such as Carlos Pena. There are available free agents, such as Vladimir Guerrero, who've hit .300 several times in the past. There's even Johnny Damon, who no doubt wouldn't mind being a Tiger again. But they aren't Victor Martinez."
Loss of Victor Martinez a crisis for Tigers, but there are solutions
January 18
Detroit News
 columnist Lynn Henning
"Voices reveal everything. They tell you, for example, if a person is lying. They unveil hope, resignation, resolve, mistrust — you name the emotion or the disposition and a person's voice is a dead giveaway. Dave Dombrowski's voice during a Tuesday conference had the tone of a man who had just watched his house burn down. He got word Monday that Victor Martinez, his single-best hitter next to the deity himself, Miguel Cabrera, was probably gone for 2012 because of a knee he wrecked during a workout last week in Orlando."
Tigers' Victor Martinez likely out for season with torn ACL
January 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Tigers today announced that designated hitter Victor Martinez tore the ACL in his left knee during off-season conditioning last week and likely will miss the 2012 season. Martinez will be re-evaluated by Dr. Richard Stedman next week and surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee is anticipated. Martinez hit .330 with 12 home runs and 103 RBIs in 145 games with the Tigers last season. He signed a $50 million, four-year contract before last season."
Blasts by Martinez, Peralta and Cabrera power Tigers right back into ALCS
October 12
Detroit News
 
"The Tigers were running out of swings and chances, running low on time. Someone had to do something, preferably with a big bat in his hands. The someones arrived in time and on cue, and did what they do. Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera felt it — the aches, the pressure — and then they unloaded. Once the Tigers got started, they kept it up, hammering three home runs and beating the Rangers 5-2 Tuesday night to slice their series deficit to 2-1. This is where any comeback must begin — in the clutch, in the heart of the lineup. When the wounded keep dropping, more is expected (required) of the stars. Pitcher Doug Fister was tremendous again, keeping it tight as if the Tigers were waiting"
Baseball is a family affair for Victor Martinez
October 10
Detroit News
 
"If you didn't know better, you'd think Miguel Cabrera was talking about one of his teammates. A veteran utility player, perhaps, or maybe a promising young rookie. "He brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse," Cabrera said, breaking into a big grin as his eyes lit up. "He loves to play the game so much and be around the guys. I think he's a big part of the team. " Only he's the littlest of big leaguers, as it turns out. He's the 7-year-old son of designated hitter Victor Martinez — Victor Jose — who in his first season in Detroit already has become a clubhouse fixture, not unlike Al Kaline and Willie Horton in his own way. "He's the best, man. He really is," third baseman Brandon Inge"
Detroit 4, Baltimore 3 (11 innings): Victory Martinez works magic again
September 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"He wasn't expecting to see it. And no wonder, not when he was behind in the count 0-2 in a tie game in the bottom of the 11th inning. Once he spotted it, though, Victor Martinez didn't have much trouble handling the breaking ball that hung over the plate Friday night at Comerica Park. He calmly yanked it down the leftfield line to drive in the winning run as the Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles, 4-3. "There is a real calmness about him," manager Jim Leyland said of Martinez. "Some guys just know how to slow things down.""
Detroit 5, Chicago 0: It's 11 straight for Tigers, Justin Verlander
September 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Justin Verlander and the Tigers each extended their winning streaks to 11, thanks in large part to a magnificent at-bat by Victor Martinez. With one out in the sixth Tuesday night, White Sox starter Gavin Floyd intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera with first base open. Up came Martinez. He fell behind 0-2, fouled off a trio of 2-2 pitches, took ball three, then lofted the next pitch far over the rightfield fence for a three-run homer. "It looked like he just wasn't going to be denied," manager Jim Leyland said. "But he knew how to slow it down without being foolish. He fouled a couple of nasty pitches, and when he got one with two strikes to hit, he hit it. Some guys get anxious and pop"
Martinez's slam fuels Detroit Tigers' 8-6 victory to sweep Cleveland Indians
September 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"First baseman Shelley Duncan hit not one, but two two-run homers off Justin Verlander in support of Justin Masterson. The Indians still lost. It has been that kind of tumble out of AL Central contention for the Tribe. Former Indian Victor Martinez capped a five-run seventh inning with a grand slam as Detroit rallied to win, 8-6, Wednesday afternoon at misty Progressive Field. Verlander, a lock for the American League Cy Young Award, won his 10th consecutive start to improve to 22-5 with a 2.44 ERA. He is the third Tiger since 1919 to win 10 straight starts. The Tigers (81-62) followed a three-game home sweep of the White Sox with a three-game road sweep of Cleveland, effectively ending the"
Victor Martinez's slam powers Justin Verlander to 10th straight win
September 8
Detroit News
 
"Hear that? It's the sound of the countdown clock as the Tigers continue what's become a relentless march. Game by game, series by series, they're getting it done — sometimes with pitching, often with hitting. And occasionally, although it wasn't a vintage Justin Verlander performance in Wednesday's 8-6 victory over the Indians, with a sufficient combination of both. Verlander went six innings to improve to 22-5 with his 10th consecutive victory. No Tigers pitcher since at least 1919 had won 10 games in 10 appearances. But also on the pitching front, Jose Valverde earned his 42nd save, tying the team record set by Todd Jones in 2000. The overall picture of what's taking place with this"
Victor Martinez adds bat, leadership to Tigers lineup
September 7
Detroit News
 
"The Tigers continue to benefit from the multiple values of Victor Martinez. For instance, there's the productivity value: Three more RBIs in Tuesday night's 10-1 victory over the Indians. Just as important, there's the leadership value. In fact, one of the big differences in manager Jim Leyland's opinion between the Tigers of 2009, when they were headed for disappointment, and the Tigers of 2011 is the presence — and leadership — of Martinez. "He's been a huge guy for us," Leyland said. "He's exactly what I talk about a lot of times when it comes to leadership. "There've been a lot of guys over the years who've tried to appoint themselves leaders and they can't do it. That's always been my"
Detroit 4, Cleveland 2: Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta switch sides, show same results
September 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"For the second time in four years, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta asserted themselves in a big September series between the Tigers and Indians. In mid-September 2007, the Tigers came to Cleveland 4 1/2 games behind the Tribe in the American League Central with two weeks left. In the first game, Peralta hit two home runs in the Indians' win. The next night, Martinez put the Indians ahead to stay with a sixth-inning homer off Justin Verlander. The game, series and race belonged to the Indians. On Monday, Martinez opened the scoring with a three-run home run. The score remained 3-0 when the Tribe made its comeback bid in the fifth. Jason Donald opened with a single to center and took"
Martinez's knee improving, but Tigers must rely on Alex Avila at catcher
August 20
Michigan Live
 
"Victor Martinez's balky left knee, sprained on a play at the plate two weeks ago, is improving, but there is no timetable for when he might be available to catch, head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said. That means the Tigers will go with Alex Avila exclusively behind the plate, and Don Kelly as his emergency backup. Omir Santos with Triple-A Toledo could be recalled if needed. "If we did run into an emergency situation, we could get through one game and we'd have a catcher here the next day," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. Rand said with an injury like Martinez's knee sprain, when the player is not 100 percent but able to play, "you find the best way to do things to improve him while,"
Victor Martinez hopes to play Tuesday
August 8
Detroit News
 
"He's out, but better. Better on Sunday than he was while wincing with pain on Saturday night, that is. Victor Martinez did not play in the Tigers' 4-3 loss to the Royals on Sunday. But he hopes to play in whatever the Tigers do against Cleveland on Tuesday night. In other words, despite the way his injury sounds — "sprained left knee" — Martinez wasn't even limping. And since he's hitting .342 in his last 63 games, not to mention .556 with runners in scoring position since July 17, the Tigers are overjoyed they've not lost him for more than one game. If, indeed, that's the case — which it appears to be. Coupled with today's off-day, the Tigers feel there's a good chance Martinez will be"
Hot-hitting Victor Martinez feels fine after Tigers' win
August 7
Detroit News
 
"First of all, Victor Martinez might not miss any time — despite the fact he was writhing in pain at the plate in the eighth inning Saturday night. "I felt a sharp pain," Martinez said about the left-knee sprain he suffered in the Tigers' 4-3 victory over the Royals. "But on the way up (to the trainer's room) I could feel the pain going away. Everything looks pretty good." Second of all, you have company, Willie. With his 32nd consecutive save, tying the Tigers' record first accomplished in 1984 by Guillermo Hernandez, Jose Valderde not only preserved the Tigers' win, but Justin Verlander's 16th victory as well. "You look at his body of work and a lot of them haven't been easy saves,""
Penny, Martinez have very public disagreement in Tigers' loss
July 29
Detroit News
 
"What was that all about? Did Brad Penny and catcher Victor Martinez get into an argument on the mound during the Tigers' 12-7 loss to the Angels on Thursday? You bet they did. It was about the timing of signs from Martinez to Penny with a runner on second. That's what Penny said, anyway. Not wanting to discuss it, Martinez said, "Next question." "He hadn't caught me in a while and it had nothing to do with pitch selection or anything like that," said Penny. "With a runner on second, I like to come set and take the signs. That way the hitter can't look at second base for anything. I've pitched my whole career that way, and he didn't want me to do it. But there's no other way for me. "I"
Minus Miggy, Tigers' fate rests with Victor Martinez
July 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Miguel Cabrera's oblique injury will be evaluated today, Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Wednesday. Cabrera felt something amiss in his right side on a check swing in Tuesday night's All-Star Game. American League manager Ron Washington said the All-Star medical staff told him Cabrera had suffered "a slight strain of the right oblique." The Tigers reconvene tonight for a workout at Comerica Park, then resume play Friday at home against Chicago. If the Tigers' medical staff determines that Cabrera must miss one or more games, what would the team look like without him? • Victor Martinez, who has batted fifth this season as the primary designated hitter, looks like by far the"
Victor Martinez's son joins All-Star campaign
July 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"Now where was this kid a few days ago? And where was this super cute video? In an effort to help Victor Martinez overtake White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko in the voting for the final AL All-Star Game roster spot, the Tigers are calling on Little Victor. Martinez's 6-year-old son held a news conference this morning at Comerica Park — no media was invited apparently — to encourage fans to vote for his father, Detroit's hot-hitting designated hitter and backup catcher. "Hello, my name is Victor Jose Martinez," the kid says into a microphone in a video posted on tigers.com. He is donning a Tigers cap and jersey and joined by Paws."
Possible All-Star Victor Martinez's son, 6, hits campaign trail
July 7
Detroit News
 
"Victor Martinez has more help on the campaign trail. His 6-year-old son, Victor Jose, held a "press conference" at Comerica Park on Wednesday, urging Tigers fans to vote for his father in "The Final Vote" online ballot. "I really want my dad to go to the All-Star Game," said Victor Jose, wearing a Tigers jersey and cap, and joined in the 30-second video by mascot Paws. "My friends are there, David Ortiz and everybody, and I really want everybody to vote for my dad." Martinez, the Tigers veteran DH and catcher, is one of five players on the AL ballot, along with Chicago's Paul Konerko, Kansas City's Alex Gordon, Baltimore's Adam Jones and Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist. Konerko was leading in"
Justin Verlander makes Twitter push for Victor Martinez
July 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tigers ace Justin Verlander, whose Twitter campaign helped Alex Avila become the AL's starting catcher in the All-Star Game, is now making a pitch for Victor Martinez to win the voting for the last roster spot. Verlander is tweeting the #VoteVictor hashtag. He tweeted Tuesday that the most creative tweets to get votes will "win tickets, autos and other prizes." We're assuming he means something autographed and not a car."
Tigers' Victor Martinez in second after one day of Final Vote
July 6
Detroit News
 
"Roughly 24 hours after voting commenced Sunday, Tigers designated hitter / catcher Victor Martinez was in second place, trailing Chicago's Paul Konerko in American League balloting for the All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans have until 4 p.m. Thursday to vote at tigers.com and MLB.com. Konerko, a first baseman, and Martinez have each played in four All-Star Games."
Justin Verlander begins Twitter campaign for Victor Martinez
July 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander led a successful Twitter campaign to get catcher Alex Avila voted onto the American League All-Star team. Now Verlander is focusing on Victor Martinez, who is one of five players eligible for the All-Star Game final vote. Verlander was coy about his plans for Martinez's Twitter campaign. "We'll find out," he said with a grin. "To be announced." Shortly after reporters cleared the room, Verlander announced a "strategy meeting at campaign headquarters" and then posted this on Twitter: "Someone come up with a #votevictor twitter avatar for the campaign. Winner gets a signed baseball." Every year there are snubs, and this year there are some big names that"
Red Sox made right call in letting Victor Martinez go
May 19
Boston Herald
 
"It was the right decision last winter, it remains the right decision now, and it most definitely will be the right decision in 2014. As much as many fans hate to hear it, the Red Sox did the right thing by letting Victor Martinez walk. Martinez returned to Fenway Park last night for the first time since signing a four-year, $50?million contract with the Detroit Tigers to open the offseason. He arrived with exactly the kind of numbers for the Tigers as he delivered in his year and a half with the Sox, batting .317 with four home runs and 23 RBI. Red Sox catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek, meanwhile, were at .203 with one homer and 14 RBI combined. This juxtaposition alone is"
Tigers' Victor Martinez fond of Boston
May 18
Detroit News
 
"Often, when a ballplayer returns to his old workplace, it doesn't go so well. He might have left town on bad terms. He might have been a pitcher who threw too many fastballs that ended up in the seats. Maybe he was a hitter who waved at a two-strike pitch at the worst possible moment (Casey had problems with the home crowd after a particular whiff in Mudville). Or, if he left for a different town - a rival town - for a grand sum of cash, then going home, particularly if it is Boston's Fenway Park, won't be a picnic. Just ask Johnny Damon how it went for him after he shed Red Sox togs for Yankees pinstripes following the 2005 season. It's Victor Martinez's turn to see what his old fans"
Victor Martinez turns into RBI machine on six-game trip
May 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"He already has two of the three initials: the "M" and the "V." As in Martinez, Victor. And the way he has hit lately, Martinez also has the "P." On the six-game trip that ended Wednesday, he was the Tigers' MVP. The Tigers won the last five of those games, and Martinez drove in at least one run in each of them. In the past three games, culminating with Wednesday's 9-7 victory over the Twins, Martinez has driven in 10 runs. "He's going to help us win games like this," said Miguel Cabrera, who helped recruit Martinez to the Tigers. "I'm not surprised, because I expected he would do this." In the past three games, Martinez is 9-for-12. Of those nine hits, four are doubles and two are home"
Return of Tigers' Victor Martinez forces adjustments
May 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Victor Martinez's return to the lineup Wednesday night raised a couple of issues: As Martinez returned to the fifth spot, manager Jim Leyland moved Brennan Boesch from fifth to third. Magglio Ordoñez dropped from third to sixth. "Right now (Ordoñez) is not running as good because of the ankle, so I put a little more speed in front of Miguel ( Cabrera)," Leyland said. "Boesch can beat out a double-play ball.""
Tigers happy to have Victor Martinez back
May 5
Detroit News
 
"Victor Martinez (right groin) was activated from the disabled list and hit fifth behind Miguel Cabrera in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over the Yankees. He went 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored. "I'm certainly happy to get Victor back," manager Jim Leyland said. "I felt good about writing that lineup down today." Leyland moved Magglio Ordonez from third to sixth and Brennan Boesch to No. 3 ahead of Cabrera."
Victor Martinez to begin Toledo assignment Monday
May 2
Detroit News
 
"Victor Martinez, the Tigers' No. 5 hitter who has been on the disabled list since April 19, will begin a rehabilitation assignment Monday with the Toledo Mud Hens. Martinez has been sidelined by a sore groin. He is eligible to return to the Tigers lineup Wednesday and could play in that night's game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park."
Victor Martinez to begin two-game rehabilitation assignment
May 1
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Tigers catcher Victor Martinez said this morning that he will play two games on a rehabilitation assignment with the Toledo Mud hens before being activated Wednesday from the 15-day disabled list. "I am ready to play and will play two games in the minor leagues with Toledo," Martinez, 32, said. "Everything I did yesterday and have been doing feels good." Martinez worked on blocking balls in the dirt Saturday, and showed the agility needed to return to action. He strained his right groin April 16 at Oakland, took one game off, and re-aggravated it April 18 on a checked swing in Seattle. Detroit manager Jim Leyland was asked if Martinez would return to the No. 5 spot in the batting"
Tigers DH Victor Martinez recovering rapidly
April 27
Detroit News
 
"Too bad there isn't such a thing as the 10-day disabled list for groin strains - because as of Tuesday, Victor Martinez was able to say, "I'm feeling great." Martinez has been on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right groin since April 19. "This is the first day I can say I'm feeling great," he said, "because this is the first time I went outside, did some stuff, and didn't feel any soreness. That's what you want to hear, that's what I want to feel." Martinez went through some pregame agility drills on the field. He also threw and hit. Everything all right? "Pretty much," he replied. "I don't feel anything." Manager Jim Leyland was happy to hear that, of course."
Tigers place Victor Martinez on DL
April 20
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Tigers placed catcher/designated hitter Victor Martinez on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained right groin and called up catcher Omir Santos from Triple-A Toledo take his place. Martinez suffered the injury during an at-bat Saturday night and re-aggravated the injury in his first bat thereafter on Monday night. He singled on the at-bat but later in the inning left for a pinch-runner. Martinez's leg seemed fine in pregame drills Monday. But, as manager Jim Leyland lamented, it couldn't handle the stress of game intensity. Santos, a right-handed hitter, has a .254 average for his nearly 300 at-bats in the big leagues. Santos, who turns 30 later this month, has caught in 100"
Tigers DH Victor Martinez leaves game with sore groin
April 19
Detroit News
 
"Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez hurt his right groin during Monday night's 8-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners, enough for manager Jim Leyland to say, "I'm sure we'll have to do something." Meaning the probability of needing another catcher. Leyland said he wasn't blaming anyone for the injury, and that before the game, "the groin felt great. It loosened up. "But there's nothing like game speed. There's no blame, but we've been burned like that for 50 years." Going into the game, Leyland wasn't sure about Martinez's health to this extent: Because of the groin that kept Martinez out of Sunday's game in Oakland, he wasn't going to catch any of the three games in his series."
Victor Jose Martinez is Tigers' clubhouse cub
April 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Move over, Paws. The Tigers have a new mascot. "I think so," said relief pitcher Robbie Weinhardt, who should know after he spent the better part of Sunday morning paling around with Victor Martinez. That would be 6-year-old Victor Martinez, son and namesake of the Tigers' designated hitter/catcher. Martinez, also known as Little Victor, was in full splendor Sunday in the clubhouse, wearing a complete uniform, kicking back on comfy couches, sitting at his dad's locker and leading the team in smiles batted in. "He's awesome," Weinhardt said. "Look at him. You can have the worst day, and you come in here and you just talk to him." Weinhardt paused and grinned. "He was trying to show me how"
Victor Martinez feels right at home behind the plate
April 10
Detroit News
 
"Victor Martinez caught 110 games for the Red Sox last season and didn't want it forgotten. When Martinez, 32, was asked Saturday night how often he thought he could play the position for the Tigers, he didn't hesitate to give a terse response. "Well, the manager is over there," he said sternly, pointing to Tigers skipper Jim Leyland's office. "Go ask him." Martinez clearly takes pride in his experience behind the plate and put it on display in a 3-1 loss to the Royals in his Comerica Park debut in the role. The franchise's prize offseason acquisition, a veteran of 975 games over 10 seasons, guided left-hander Phil Coke to a respectable 6 2/3 innings of work."
Tigers' Coke, Martinez debut in new roles
April 10
Detroit News
 
"New Tiger Victor Martinez got his first opportunity to catch at Comerica Park in today's matchup with the Kansas City Royals. Left fielder Ryan Raburn and right fielder Casper Wells also got their first lineup action of the season in Detroit. Martinez was a designated hitter in Friday's 5-2 Opening Day win over the Royals. He connected for a three-run double in the first inning of the win and has collected at least one hit and one RBI in each of his last three games, batting .417 (5-of-12) with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs."
New cast members -- Martinez, Benoit, Penny -- bring high hopes
March 31
Detroit News
 
"They're far from Hollywood in mind, spirit and actual distance, but if the Tigers end up winning their division, it could be their central casting that does it. General manager Dave Dombrowski was up front from the start after last year about the Tigers' approach. They were going to be aggressive in pursuing players they thought could help them."
New cast members -- Martinez, Benoit, Penney -- bring high hopes
March 30
Detroit News
 
"They're far from Hollywood in mind, spirit and actual distance, but if the Tigers end up winning their division, it could be their central casting that does it. General manager Dave Dombrowski was up front from the start after last year about the Tigers' approach. They were going to be aggressive in pursuing players they thought could help them. And whether it was retaining their own, or signing other free agents, they were. No offseason is ever the same. Sometimes the cast gets tweaked. Sometimes it gets overhauled. Sometimes in between. The Tigers head into the 2011 season after a winter in between. The result is they look different, yet familiar. They've changed, selectively."
Justin Verlander draws comparison to Hall of Famer Bob Gibson
March 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"For Justin Verlander, the praise perhaps can't get better than this. Former catcher Pat Corrales watched Verlander throw several shutout innings for the Tigers against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. "He not only has good stuff, he has command and knowledge," Corrales said. "That's a combination that will beat you very quick." So if you have a power pitcher with command and knowledge, you've got ... "Gibson," Corrales said. "That's what you've got -- Gibson." That's Bob Gibson, the Hall of Famer who remains the ultimate standard for power-pitching right-handers. Corrales, a senior assistant to the general manager with Washington, caught eight seasons. In 1966 with St. Louis, he caught"
Victor Jose Martinez lauds Sox days
March 16
Boston Herald
 
"The force of nature known as Victor Jose Martinez returned to the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday with a vengeance. The 6-year-old son of the former Red Sox catcher was in his glory as Jason Varitek hoisted him over his shoulder, and then Daniel Nava let him examine his glove. "Still left-handed?" the youngster asked with disappointment while trying to jam the glove on the wrong hand. "It's a little late to change," Nava noted with a laugh. Daisuke Matsuzaka, the day's starter, sat on a bench outside the clubhouse next to the kid they affectionately called Little Vic. "You're pitching against my dad!" he exclaimed. "And I know you! I love your Mohawk!" Needless to say, Victor Jose would not"
Victor Martinez excels at driving in runners
March 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"With runners at the corners and one out in the bottom of the first inning, Victor Martinez hit a dribbler to the pitcher. Andy Dirks, the Tigers' outfield prospect and hottest hitter in Florida, scored easily for a 1-0 lead over the New York Mets. Three innings later, Martinez batted again with Dirks at third base and one out. This time, Martinez slapped a chopper to the shortstop. Again, Dirks scored easily. Two swings, two balls put in play. Two RBIs with fewer than two outs and a runner at third. "That's the difference between 80 and 100, or 60 and 80," Jim Leyland said after the game. He was talking about runs, of course, and how elusive they are when hitters strand runners on the"
Victor Martinez is the total package for Tigers
March 7
Detroit News
 
"Always, it seems, you hear the Victor Martinez story told as if his assets are inseparable. The good hitter is supposedly a greater guy. A slugger for whom the Tigers paid $50 million to bat behind Miguel Cabrera for the next four years is, according to just about everyone, a clubhouse version of Mother Teresa who doubles as a classic middle-of-the-order basher. His virtues are supposedly intertwined. And so you examine the evidence. Hitting : Martinez has a .300 batting average spanning his nine seasons in the big leagues, which were spent with the Indians and Red Sox. He's a switch-hitter who is so accomplished and so consistent from either side that he has batted .298 as a"
Victor Martinez's 'passion' spreads among Tigers
February 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"Before Sunday's game, Victor Martinez chatted with Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell. They each spent the past few years in Boston, where Farrell was the pitching coach. After the game, Farrell said: "Victor brings a passion for the game that is infectious to all of those around him." The Tigers have felt that passion since camp started, and Sunday they got an in-game glimpse of what a nice addition Martinez can be. He caught scoreless outings by four pitchers and drove in a run in the Tigers' 1-0 win. Manager Jim Leyland said of Martinez's sixth-inning sacrifice fly: "Victor did what some of the good hitters do -- expanded the strike zone just enough. That pitch was probably not a"
Victor Martinez takes Alex Avila, minor league catchers to dinner
February 20
Detroit Free Press
 
"There are six minor league catchers in the Tigers' spring-training camp. On Friday night, Victor Martinez took all six to dinner. He also took his major league catching mate, Alex Avila, and the team's bullpen catcher, Scott Pickens. They all went to a restaurant in Orlando. Martinez said he held the catchers' dinner because "we're family here." Camp isn't even a week old and Martinez has given the young catchers an indication of why so many people in baseball rave about him as a person and as a teammate. "The most important thing for me is to make us feel like this is home," Martinez said. "We're a big family." One of the minor league catchers in the dinner party was manager Jim Leyland's"
Tigers' Victor Martinez drives Rolls Royce Ghost
February 16
Detroit News
 
"Victor Martinez, you're going to like the Motor City. Judging from your keen appreciation for wheels. Martinez was dropped off on Tuesday at the side door of the Tigers clubhouse here. Several years ago, it became the front door for players, because they can park and walk up the path to the clubhouse. But it's not hidden from public view, if that's what you are asking. When Justin Verlander pulls up in his red Ferrari, it's in full view of the fans on hand for that day's workout. When a writer pulls up in his compact rental car, wait, that doesn't really matter, does it? And besides it's in a different area. The big white Rolls Royce Ghost in the first slot of the lot, however,"
Victor Martinez eager for Tigers' season to start: 'We have a chance to win the World Series'
February 15
Michigan Live
 
"The can't-wait look on Victor Martinez's face said it all. He was asked if he was excited about joining his fellow Venezuelans -- Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez -- in the middle of the Detroit Tigers batting order. "Man, I am," Martinez said. "I really am." His eyes twinkled as he spoke in the Marchant Stadium clubhouse after Monday's first workout at the Tiger Town fields. "It's pretty exciting to have this kind of talent in one room," Martinez said. "I just want to get this season going right away. We have a chance to win the World Series."